My partner is an employment law expert, law degree etc (Union)Â Just asked her what she thought, she said that there could be any number of reasons, but for someone at that level and so soon after hiring it screams to her as either not meeting targets/really shit at his job, or gross misconduct. But, unless either he or TS go public, itâs all conjectureÂ
I'd say its very difficult for anyone in a COO role to be able to demonstrate the ability to "hit targets" after 6 weeks in a role - Jokat wasn't a sales rep selling widgets.
COOs have wide remits with long term objectives, not short term revenue targets based on sales.
Over and above that, if its a COO role of any scale, it would take at least 6 weeks to get up to speed with the industry and the organisation - typically the first three months are considered a "honeymoon period" where objectives are flexible, and that is recognised by both the employer and the employee.
I'm more inclined to suspect that there was a quick realisation that there wasn't a mutual appreciation or aligned outlook, and therefore Sandgaard moved first.
The fact that itâs been reported that he was sacked, rather than left by mutual consent suggests to me more than just not being a good fit.
Just found the only programme I was given last season (thanks Jayden) and Tony Keohane was listed as Director of Operations"Â
Can someone who has worked at Cafc or another Professional football club explain to me and others on CL that get lost in the noise exactly how the COO job and Tony Keohane's job as Director of Operations interact ?
Possibly @airmanbrown is the only person qualified on CL ?  @Henry Irving has been at meetings in the boardroom though probably a CEO not COO was at Cafc at that time ? The fan in the boardroom appeared to be a good idea.
Lots of Gossip and even RD having an inside man but prefer how the Jobs should work together and if that remit is being reached or not ? With the COO guy Jokat leaving, not in the opinion of Thomas.
My knowledge is all about coaching, formations and footballers and their idiosyncrasies. I have got the T-shirt on the football side but the internal workings of a pro football club are still a tad cumulus.
The problem is, if you don't sack somebody during the probation period, it is a lot harder and potentially more expensive to do so. I suspect it boils down to him being a disapointment.Â
Not correct. You can get rid of anyone in the first two years without having to provide a justification - it's no more difficult than during a probation period.
A probation period simply provides a clear timeframe in which to demonstrate capability, at the end of which appointment to the permanent staff ususally brings additional benefits.Â
The problem is, if you don't sack somebody during the probation period, it is a lot harder and potentially more expensive to do so. I suspect it boils down to him being a disapointment.Â
Not correct. You can get rid of anyone in the first two years without having to provide a justification - it's no more difficult than during a probation period.
A probation period simply provides a clear timeframe in which to demonstrate capability, at the end of which appointment to the permanent staff ususally brings additional benefits.Â
You've normally got a shorter notice period say 2 weeks during the probation period - which then costs less than paying up the 3 or months notice period.
I chatted with this fella Tuesday 21st at the East Stand boxes sales pitch, personally, I thought he got his pitch to potential punters all wrong, it really wasn't very good, a repetitive Power Point that didn't say much. It was very focused on how the newly renovated boxes (they need it badly), can be used to attract clients to join you, "Fleetwood on a wet cold Tuesday" is a hard sell!
This is league one football, filling a box with clients from what is now a very northern based league, is a hell of a trick!
All in all an average sales pitch by a man who clearly knows nothing about league 1 football and was happy to tell everyone so! Perhaps Mr T was of the same opinion? Wrong bloke Thomas.
Itâs highly unlikely that Duchatelet is an employee of Holdings Limited. The Keohane employment issue is interesting - remember that it was rumoured a previous RD takeover condition for other buyers was that Varney shouldnât be involved in the club. RD is capable of bizarre interventions, if you recall. It is certainly the view of some well placed individuals that Keohaneâs continued involvement is extraordinary.
RD is a possible explanation of TSâs volte face on Varney in 2020, although I imagine heâd been fed RD/RMâs lies about him. The fact remains that nearly two years later TS hasnât introduced a credible senior football person who can work with him over time (leaving aside that Jokat wasnât credible to me anyway). At some point people may have to acknowledge that at least part of the problem could lie with TS, rather than just with his appointments.
Given the amount of money the club loses it is understandable, but it should be clear that TS is trying to do many things cheaper than is likely to get you the best people, on and off the pitch. The question is whether in doing so he is undermining his own chances of success. But there are and will be outcomes to judge that on and itâs increasingly pointless anticipating them - it just upsets people who are in denial and appears destructive. Time will tell.
As for some of the surprising people expressing scepticism on here, itâs no accident that they are well connected to the club. No doubt there are different views and perspectives, but I hear what they are presumably hearing and perhaps the distinction internally is between people with an emotional stake in the club and those without one, rather than simply people who are happy or unhappy with their lot.Â
We will have a better idea by September where this is all heading.
My partner is an employment law expert, law degree etc (Union)Â Just asked her what she thought, she said that there could be any number of reasons, but for someone at that level and so soon after hiring it screams to her as either not meeting targets/really shit at his job, or gross misconduct. But, unless either he or TS go public, itâs all conjectureÂ
I'd say its very difficult for anyone in a COO role to be able to demonstrate the ability to "hit targets" after 6 weeks in a role - Jokat wasn't a sales rep selling widgets.
COOs have wide remits with long term objectives, not short term revenue targets based on sales.
Over and above that, if its a COO role of any scale, it would take at least 6 weeks to get up to speed with the industry and the organisation - typically the first three months are considered a "honeymoon period" where objectives are flexible, and that is recognised by both the employer and the employee.
I'm more inclined to suspect that there was a quick realisation that there wasn't a mutual appreciation or aligned outlook, and therefore Sandgaard moved first.
I imagine that too. The business version of "artistic differences".
His objectives were far too long to be judged in a few weeks, especially when many of the big decisions on sponsorship and suppliers would have been taken before he arrivedÂ
I chatted with this fella Tuesday 21st at the East Stand boxes sales pitch, personally, I thought he got his pitch to potential punters all wrong, it really wasn't very good, a repetitive Power Point that didn't say much. It was very focused on how the newly renovated boxes (they need it badly), can be used to attract clients to join you, "Fleetwood on a wet cold Tuesday" is a hard sell!
This is league one football, filling a box with clients from what is now a very northern based league, is a hell of a trick!
All in all an average sales pitch by a man who clearly knows nothing about league 1 football and was happy to tell everyone so! Perhaps Mr T was of the same opinion? Wrong bloke Thomas.
Sounds like this was the nail in the coffin & TS acted swiftly afterwards. I admire that as I like decisive people & rather that that letting the guy sod around for the next 6 months & cocking something else up.Â
I chatted with this fella Tuesday 21st at the East Stand boxes sales pitch, personally, I thought he got his pitch to potential punters all wrong, it really wasn't very good, a repetitive Power Point that didn't say much. It was very focused on how the newly renovated boxes (they need it badly), can be used to attract clients to join you, "Fleetwood on a wet cold Tuesday" is a hard sell!
This is league one football, filling a box with clients from what is now a very northern based league, is a hell of a trick!
All in all an average sales pitch by a man who clearly knows nothing about league 1 football and was happy to tell everyone so! Perhaps Mr T was of the same opinion? Wrong bloke Thomas.
At long last, someone who has had dealings with Brian Jokat. Cheers.
I own a company with a turnover roughly the same as Charlton and excluding playing staff and team management roughly the same number of staff. Around new year we employed a very senior manager under strict conditions that we wanted some financial details for expanding the company, his suggestions and information on number of staff etc required to bring about the expansion and what other costs / staff might be required all had to be delivered and presented tp]o the owner within i weeks, he agreed that he was capable (his CV certainly reflected that snd he was industry based) and it was easily manageable. 8 weeks elapsed arranged a meeting, he turned up with nothing, no presentation, no figures, no suggestion. He was sacked immediately and a replacement was sort, we are stilled baffled at why he did this, but you have no option, itâs not pleasurable, itâs not fun etc sacking someone, it makes management look foolish, but often itâs the only solution.
Morning Thomas đ
Wished I had his money, mind you I wouldnât buy a football club if I had.
When Mark Goldberg bought the use of the Crystal palace Boardroom and whatever the players were worth ( I believe they were struggling at the time) he was a fan and paid 20 million plus for the privilege. Ron Noades even lent him a few million at interest of course to complete the deal. Noades just like DuchĂątelet still owned the stadium and the training ground. Ron Noades the business man first and fan second couldn't believe his luck.
Thomas Sandgaard wasn't a fan of Charlton but saw the location, Location and thought why not, plus I can sing my music to a crowd. He didn't make the same mistake as Goldberg but he probably didn't realize how fickle crowds can be when they cheer your side for 80 minutes then give dogs abuse for the last 10 as you concede. Plus social media will create the monster that tries to eat you up.
Business acumen and football acumen rarely dovetail because employees/footballers wouldn't get the wages they do from the Championship down in any other industry. In the City you can make millions or lose millions. When you lose millions you are marched out the office by Security as you do the walk of shame; conversely make good calls and your bonus is massive.Â
I chatted with this fella Tuesday 21st at the East Stand boxes sales pitch, personally, I thought he got his pitch to potential punters all wrong, it really wasn't very good, a repetitive Power Point that didn't say much. It was very focused on how the newly renovated boxes (they need it badly), can be used to attract clients to join you, "Fleetwood on a wet cold Tuesday" is a hard sell!
This is league one football, filling a box with clients from what is now a very northern based league, is a hell of a trick!
All in all an average sales pitch by a man who clearly knows nothing about league 1 football and was happy to tell everyone so! Perhaps Mr T was of the same opinion? Wrong bloke Thomas.
The most obvious thing I think TS needs to realise is that unless we get in the Prem, we are not a commercial entity/or appeal to 1000s of new fans. The sooner he realises this, the better. Â The only people that he should market the club to, are the 10,000 (give or take) people that have bought season tickets over the last 10 years, or come semi regularly. Â Forget new fans, forget the match day experience (within reason), plough whatever money you can sustainability afford on the footballing side of things, appoint a hands on CEO for the non footballing side and hope that it pays off. Â You can spend as much time and money as you want on selling the exec boxes, giving tickets to schools, or BOGOF or whatever, it wonât touch the sides or scratch the surface. Â We are not a brand in any way, shape or formÂ
The problem is, if you don't sack somebody during the probation period, it is a lot harder and potentially more expensive to do so. I suspect it boils down to him being a disapointment.Â
Not correct. You can get rid of anyone in the first two years without having to provide a justification - it's no more difficult than during a probation period.
A probation period simply provides a clear timeframe in which to demonstrate capability, at the end of which appointment to the permanent staff ususally brings additional benefits.Â
You've normally got a shorter notice period say 2 weeks during the probation period - which then costs less than paying up the 3 or months notice period.
I chatted with this fella Tuesday 21st at the East Stand boxes sales pitch, personally, I thought he got his pitch to potential punters all wrong, it really wasn't very good, a repetitive Power Point that didn't say much. It was very focused on how the newly renovated boxes (they need it badly), can be used to attract clients to join you, "Fleetwood on a wet cold Tuesday" is a hard sell!
This is league one football, filling a box with clients from what is now a very northern based league, is a hell of a trick!
All in all an average sales pitch by a man who clearly knows nothing about league 1 football and was happy to tell everyone so! Perhaps Mr T was of the same opinion? Wrong bloke Thomas.
The most obvious thing I think TS needs to realise is that unless we get in the Prem, we are not a commercial entity/or appeal to 1000s of new fans. The sooner he realises this, the better. Â The only people that he should market the club to, are the 10,000 (give or take) people that have bought season tickets over the last 10 years, or come semi regularly. Â Forget new fans, forget the match day experience (within reason), plough whatever money you can sustainability afford not the footballing side of things, appoint a hands on CEO for the non footballing side and hope that it pays off. Â You can spend as much time and money as you want on selling the exec boxes, giving tickets to schools, or BOGOF or whatever, it wonât touch the sides or scratch the surface. Â We are not a brand in any way, shape or formÂ
Like RD it's a complete misunderstanding of sport and football in particular in this country. This isn't Major League Baseball/basketball.
In the main people go to watch 90 minutes of football, yes some may buy a programme, a drink, a burger etc, but very few will use it (in League 1) as a place to entertain clients or go for a day out with a slap up meal and drinks etc after (appreciate some will, some on special occasions).
He's trying to push water up hill. Were we a top end Championship or premier league team then of course that changes things massively. But currently we aren't and we have the delights of Fleetwood, Forest Green, Morecambe etc. You'll always get some fans who have been successful etc in business who may take a box, but otherwise it's a difficult sell.
I chatted with this fella Tuesday 21st at the East Stand boxes sales pitch, personally, I thought he got his pitch to potential punters all wrong, it really wasn't very good, a repetitive Power Point that didn't say much. It was very focused on how the newly renovated boxes (they need it badly), can be used to attract clients to join you, "Fleetwood on a wet cold Tuesday" is a hard sell!
This is league one football, filling a box with clients from what is now a very northern based league, is a hell of a trick!
All in all an average sales pitch by a man who clearly knows nothing about league 1 football and was happy to tell everyone so! Perhaps Mr T was of the same opinion? Wrong bloke Thomas.
The most obvious thing I think TS needs to realise is that unless we get in the Prem, we are not a commercial entity/or appeal to 1000s of new fans. The sooner he realises this, the better. Â The only people that he should market the club to, are the 10,000 (give or take) people that have bought season tickets over the last 10 years, or come semi regularly. Â Forget new fans, forget the match day experience (within reason), plough whatever money you can sustainability afford not the footballing side of things, appoint a hands on CEO for the non footballing side and hope that it pays off. Â You can spend as much time and money as you want on selling the exec boxes, giving tickets to schools, or BOGOF or whatever, it wonât touch the sides or scratch the surface. Â We are not a brand in any way, shape or formÂ
Indeed Cabbies, was the view expressed by the majority of people in attendance, I think Mr Canadian, "I'm a ice hockey fan really" had sold TS a bill of goods, based on fanciful speculation and wishful thinking, rather then the harsh reality of League 1 football, I hope they manage to sell the boxes as they have already started spending money on them, maybe pitching to the right audience at the right price would have been an idea. Â
I chatted with this fella Tuesday 21st at the East Stand boxes sales pitch, personally, I thought he got his pitch to potential punters all wrong, it really wasn't very good, a repetitive Power Point that didn't say much. It was very focused on how the newly renovated boxes (they need it badly), can be used to attract clients to join you, "Fleetwood on a wet cold Tuesday" is a hard sell!
This is league one football, filling a box with clients from what is now a very northern based league, is a hell of a trick!
All in all an average sales pitch by a man who clearly knows nothing about league 1 football and was happy to tell everyone so! Perhaps Mr T was of the same opinion? Wrong bloke Thomas.
The most obvious thing I think TS needs to realise is that unless we get in the Prem, we are not a commercial entity/or appeal to 1000s of new fans. The sooner he realises this, the better. Â The only people that he should market the club to, are the 10,000 (give or take) people that have bought season tickets over the last 10 years, or come semi regularly. Â Forget new fans, forget the match day experience (within reason), plough whatever money you can sustainability afford not the footballing side of things, appoint a hands on CEO for the non footballing side and hope that it pays off. Â You can spend as much time and money as you want on selling the exec boxes, giving tickets to schools, or BOGOF or whatever, it wonât touch the sides or scratch the surface. Â We are not a brand in any way, shape or formÂ
Indeed Cabbies, was the view expressed by the majority of people in attendance, I think Mr Canadian, "I'm a ice hockey fan really" had sold TS a bill of goods, based on fanciful speculation and wishful thinking, rather then the harsh reality of League 1 football, I hope they manage to sell the boxes as they have already started spending money on them, maybe pitching to the right audience at the right price would have been an idea. Â
And itâs not hard to get into the psyche of our fan base or who we are. Â Pockets of concentrated fans in Bexley/Bexleyheath/Sidcup and further afield in Kent. Â Some others scattered in south London, but all with a connection be it by family, friends or may be around from the more successful days from pretty much 20 years ago now. Â Where I sit only has a core group of mainly blokes that have been coming for years, weâre the market you target your efforts on (and of course our regular female contingent), and that market only needs money spent on the teamÂ
Great posts from cabbles & Rob7Lee that perfectly sum up just where TS is failing in his approach.Â
Like them and others, I fear that his lack of experience/knowledge, together with his stubbornness to listen to those who have gained success in the business, may be his downfall when income from his modus operandi fails to make a significant addition to his coffers.
This is NOT, as a Lifer stated, wanting him to fail. That's ridiculous.Â
But it MIGHT be the reason why he may have to closely examine his motives for owning a L1 football club and reconsider his position.Â
And as has been stated many times, it won't be a walk in the park to sell a club which doesn't own its ground & training ground.Â
Problem is, IMO, too many fans are burying their heads in the sand...Â
Great posts from cabbles & Rob7Lee that perfectly sum up just where TS is failing in his approach.Â
Like them and others, I fear that his lack of experience/knowledge, together with his stubbornness to listen to those who have gained success in the business, may be his downfall when income from his modus operandi fails to make a significant addition to his coffers.
This is NOT, as a Lifer stated, wanting him to fail. That's ridiculous.Â
But it MIGHT be the reason why he may have to closely examine his motives for owning a L1 football club and reconsider his position.Â
And as has been stated many times, it won't be a walk in the park to sell a club which doesn't own its ground & training ground.Â
Problem is, IMO, too many fans are burying their heads in the sand...Â
thing is, 99% of us donât know about what goes on behind the scenes and whilst he has clearly made some unsuccessful appointments, he appears to be learning, certainly on the football side so hopefully the same will happen on the operations / business side - he wants to be involved and to learn and in the long run, hopefully, that will be a good thing - Iâm feeling optimistic after the last few weeks of ins and outsÂ
Great posts from cabbles & Rob7Lee that perfectly sum up just where TS is failing in his approach.Â
Like them and others, I fear that his lack of experience/knowledge, together with his stubbornness to listen to those who have gained success in the business, may be his downfall when income from his modus operandi fails to make a significant addition to his coffers.
This is NOT, as a Lifer stated, wanting him to fail. That's ridiculous.Â
But it MIGHT be the reason why he may have to closely examine his motives for owning a L1 football club and reconsider his position.Â
And as has been stated many times, it won't be a walk in the park to sell a club which doesn't own its ground & training ground.Â
Problem is, IMO, too many fans are burying their heads in the sand....
Serious question, what would you have us do then?Â
I haven't given up on the prospects of TS making a go of it, but I admit to knowing little of what goes on behind closed doors. What I absolutely want to avoid is attempting to drive out the owner. I've had enough of the instability and just want to concentrate on watching some better football next season.
Great posts from cabbles & Rob7Lee that perfectly sum up just where TS is failing in his approach.Â
Like them and others, I fear that his lack of experience/knowledge, together with his stubbornness to listen to those who have gained success in the business, may be his downfall when income from his modus operandi fails to make a significant addition to his coffers.
This is NOT, as a Lifer stated, wanting him to fail. That's ridiculous.Â
But it MIGHT be the reason why he may have to closely examine his motives for owning a L1 football club and reconsider his position.Â
And as has been stated many times, it won't be a walk in the park to sell a club which doesn't own its ground & training ground.Â
Problem is, IMO, too many fans are burying their heads in the sand...Â
Isnât that last bit as bad as saying others want the club to fail? We could share our concerns constantly but that wonât change anything. Weâre not at the point where we were under RD when CARD started are we?
What should we do as a fan base? Genuine question, I have concerns too but I can see thereâs a different approach with recruitment with a focus on a style rather than simply buying players based on a 4-3-3 formation regardless of how they fit together and no idea how we want to play.
If we turn things around on the pitch the majority will be happy. If we in the same sort of position as last October then I can see talk of protests ramping up.
I also donât see TS being the owner in a year or two if weâre still in L1 (or worse).
So this just proves how different people can have different views on the same person. @Airman Brown suggested earlier perhaps insufficient due diligence was carried out on Jokat but here we see Steve Sutherland suggesting he was / is a good guy.
I'm more inclined to @golfaddick suggestion that perhaps a none too favourable sales pitch this(last?) week was his downfall and TS has decided to take action sooner rather than later. He is American and as I have observed before as a stereotype the US are more inclined to that mentality than we traditionally see in the UK.
This appointment i.e. non football is not / should not really be a concern for us as supporters. Many have said you just cant break even in L1 and need to pay to get out via squad investment so this periphery stuff need not be the issue it is being made in to. Its not symptomatic of the playing side where it would seem reasonable investment is happening and a new manager being given lots of discretion on his team. We asked for a clean slate on the squad and tactics and will likely get it.
Having said that it shows how far we have fallen when we see good in former L2 players coming to us!
Great posts from cabbles & Rob7Lee that perfectly sum up just where TS is failing in his approach.Â
Like them and others, I fear that his lack of experience/knowledge, together with his stubbornness to listen to those who have gained success in the business, may be his downfall when income from his modus operandi fails to make a significant addition to his coffers.
This is NOT, as a Lifer stated, wanting him to fail. That's ridiculous.Â
But it MIGHT be the reason why he may have to closely examine his motives for owning a L1 football club and reconsider his position.Â
And as has been stated many times, it won't be a walk in the park to sell a club which doesn't own its ground & training ground.Â
Problem is, IMO, too many fans are burying their heads in the sand...Â
Isnât that last bit as bad as saying others want the club to fail? We could share our concerns constantly but that wonât change anything. Weâre not at the point where we were under RD when CARD started are we?
What should we do as a fan base? Genuine question, I have concerns too but I can see thereâs a different approach with recruitment with a focus on a style rather than simply buying players based on a 4-3-3 formation regardless of how they fit together and no idea how we want to play.
If we turn things around on the pitch the majority will be happy. If we in the same sort of position as last October then I can see talk of protests ramping up.
I also donât see TS being the owner in a year or two if weâre still in L1 (or worse).
Its quite sad to say, but sometimes it feels like a few on here miss a bit of a protest.đ€·đ»ââïž
Great posts from cabbles & Rob7Lee that perfectly sum up just where TS is failing in his approach.Â
Like them and others, I fear that his lack of experience/knowledge, together with his stubbornness to listen to those who have gained success in the business, may be his downfall when income from his modus operandi fails to make a significant addition to his coffers.
This is NOT, as a Lifer stated, wanting him to fail. That's ridiculous.Â
But it MIGHT be the reason why he may have to closely examine his motives for owning a L1 football club and reconsider his position.Â
And as has been stated many times, it won't be a walk in the park to sell a club which doesn't own its ground & training ground.Â
Problem is, IMO, too many fans are burying their heads in the sand...Â
Isnât that last bit as bad as saying others want the club to fail? We could share our concerns constantly but that wonât change anything. Weâre not at the point where we were under RD when CARD started are we?
What should we do as a fan base? Genuine question, I have concerns too but I can see thereâs a different approach with recruitment with a focus on a style rather than simply buying players based on a 4-3-3 formation regardless of how they fit together and no idea how we want to play.
If we turn things around on the pitch the majority will be happy. If we in the same sort of position as last October then I can see talk of protests ramping up.
I also donât see TS being the owner in a year or two if weâre still in L1 (or worse).
Its quite sad to say, but sometimes it feels like a few on here miss a bit of a protest.đ€·đ»ââïž
Who are these people? I for one donât want to go through all that again
Comments
Can someone who has worked at Cafc or another Professional football club explain to me and others on CL that get lost in the noise exactly how the COO job and Tony Keohane's job as Director of Operations interact ?
Possibly @airmanbrown is the only person qualified on CL ? Â
@Henry Irving has been at meetings in the boardroom though probably a CEO not COO was at Cafc at that time ? The fan in the boardroom appeared to be a good idea.
Lots of Gossip and even RD having an inside man but prefer how the Jobs should work together and if that remit is being reached or not ? With the COO guy Jokat leaving, not in the opinion of Thomas.
My knowledge is all about coaching, formations and footballers and their idiosyncrasies. I have got the T-shirt on the football side but the internal workings of a pro football club are still a tad cumulus.
A probation period simply provides a clear timeframe in which to demonstrate capability, at the end of which appointment to the permanent staff ususally brings additional benefits.Â
RD is a possible explanation of TSâs volte face on Varney in 2020, although I imagine heâd been fed RD/RMâs lies about him. The fact remains that nearly two years later TS hasnât introduced a credible senior football person who can work with him over time (leaving aside that Jokat wasnât credible to me anyway). At some point people may have to acknowledge that at least part of the problem could lie with TS, rather than just with his appointments.
Given the amount of money the club loses it is understandable, but it should be clear that TS is trying to do many things cheaper than is likely to get you the best people, on and off the pitch. The question is whether in doing so he is undermining his own chances of success. But there are and will be outcomes to judge that on and itâs increasingly pointless anticipating them - it just upsets people who are in denial and appears destructive. Time will tell.
As for some of the surprising people expressing scepticism on here, itâs no accident that they are well connected to the club. No doubt there are different views and perspectives, but I hear what they are presumably hearing and perhaps the distinction internally is between people with an emotional stake in the club and those without one, rather than simply people who are happy or unhappy with their lot.Â
We will have a better idea by September where this is all heading.
His objectives were far too long to be judged in a few weeks, especially when many of the big decisions on sponsorship and suppliers would have been taken before he arrivedÂ
Brian Jokat confirmed to be new COO (p4), Sacked (p5)Â
At long last, someone who has had dealings with Brian Jokat. Cheers.
When Mark Goldberg bought the use of the Crystal palace Boardroom and whatever the players were worth ( I believe they were struggling at the time) he was a fan and paid 20 million plus for the privilege. Ron Noades even lent him a few million at interest of course to complete the deal. Noades just like DuchĂątelet still owned the stadium and the training ground. Ron Noades the business man first and fan second couldn't believe his luck.
Thomas Sandgaard wasn't a fan of Charlton but saw the location, Location and thought why not, plus I can sing my music to a crowd. He didn't make the same mistake as Goldberg but he probably didn't realize how fickle crowds can be when they cheer your side for 80 minutes then give dogs abuse for the last 10 as you concede. Plus social media will create the monster that tries to eat you up.
Business acumen and football acumen rarely dovetail because employees/footballers wouldn't get the wages they do from the Championship down in any other industry. In the City you can make millions or lose millions. When you lose millions you are marched out the office by Security as you do the walk of shame; conversely make good calls and your bonus is massive.Â
In the main people go to watch 90 minutes of football, yes some may buy a programme, a drink, a burger etc, but very few will use it (in League 1) as a place to entertain clients or go for a day out with a slap up meal and drinks etc after (appreciate some will, some on special occasions).
He's trying to push water up hill. Were we a top end Championship or premier league team then of course that changes things massively. But currently we aren't and we have the delights of Fleetwood, Forest Green, Morecambe etc. You'll always get some fans who have been successful etc in business who may take a box, but otherwise it's a difficult sell.
Like them and others, I fear that his lack of experience/knowledge, together with his stubbornness to listen to those who have gained success in the business, may be his downfall when income from his modus operandi fails to make a significant addition to his coffers.
This is NOT, as a Lifer stated, wanting him to fail. That's ridiculous.Â
But it MIGHT be the reason why he may have to closely examine his motives for owning a L1 football club and reconsider his position.Â
And as has been stated many times, it won't be a walk in the park to sell a club which doesn't own its ground & training ground.Â
Problem is, IMO, too many fans are burying their heads in the sand...Â
I haven't given up on the prospects of TS making a go of it, but I admit to knowing little of what goes on behind closed doors. What I absolutely want to avoid is attempting to drive out the owner. I've had enough of the instability and just want to concentrate on watching some better football next season.
What should we do as a fan base? Genuine question, I have concerns too but I can see thereâs a different approach with recruitment with a focus on a style rather than simply buying players based on a 4-3-3 formation regardless of how they fit together and no idea how we want to play.
If we turn things around on the pitch the majority will be happy. If we in the same sort of position as last October then I can see talk of protests ramping up.
I also donât see TS being the owner in a year or two if weâre still in L1 (or worse).
I'm more inclined to @golfaddick suggestion that perhaps a none too favourable sales pitch this(last?) week was his downfall and TS has decided to take action sooner rather than later. He is American and as I have observed before as a stereotype the US are more inclined to that mentality than we traditionally see in the UK.
This appointment i.e. non football is not / should not really be a concern for us as supporters. Many have said you just cant break even in L1 and need to pay to get out via squad investment so this periphery stuff need not be the issue it is being made in to. Its not symptomatic of the playing side where it would seem reasonable investment is happening and a new manager being given lots of discretion on his team. We asked for a clean slate on the squad and tactics and will likely get it.
Having said that it shows how far we have fallen when we see good in former L2 players coming to us!